personal notes are powerful. In an interview I saw years ago with George Bush Sr., the former President of the United States. The president shared what he has done in his life that has made him the most successful: writing personal notes.
At the time of that interview, George Bush Sr. he had written ten personal notes a day to anyone he could think of for 25 years straight. right at that moment, I decided to do the same. I started writing personal thank you notes every day, and I’m still writing 30 years later! this action took me the least amount of time and cost me the least amount of money, and contributed to my success the most.
postal mail is more popular than ever
Despite what you may have heard, postal mail is not going out of style. In fact, quite the opposite. A survey by the United States Postal Service showed that in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in six people were sending more mail to friends and family than ever before. The truth is, in this digital-first world, personal notes are a great way to authentically connect with others. who doesn’t like receiving a handwritten note in the mail? It’s such a refreshing change from spam and impersonal bills! there is something really special about receiving a personalized letter written specifically for you. creates an instant connection and positive reaction that is priceless. It only takes a few minutes to write, but a handwritten note can leave a positive impression that lasts for years and can help you build more meaningful relationships, the foundation of any successful business.
related: book of the week: ‘the direct mail revolution’
the power of a personal note
As a child in Ireland, I was an avid fan of the American space program. years later, as a successful speaker and businessman in the united states, i dreamed of having neil armstrong as a guest at my buffini & mastermind summit™ company. At the time, the legendary astronaut wasn’t doing many public engagements, so I decided to launch a letter campaign to get his attention. I wrote him a note explaining how much I appreciated his work and how I knew I would impact my audience with his knowledge and experience. when I didn’t get an answer, I wrote again, and then again — and then again! i lost count of the notes i wrote but, to cut a long story short, neil finally contacted me to ask if he agreed to appear on mastermind, would i stop writing to him? Over 5,000 people attended that extraordinary event to hear him speak, and I know it is an occasion they will never forget. to this day, it is one of the highlights of my career — and it all happened thanks to the power of the personal note.
make it automatic
To really reap the benefits of writing personal notes, it needs to become part of your daily routine. like brushing your teeth, sending these notes should be automatic.
- commit to writing notes every day. in buffini & company, we send almost 1 million notes a year to our valued customers. we provide our staff with a variety of free cards for any occasion to make communication accessible and simple.
- start with a goal. start with ten personal notes a day. as motivation, leave ten notes on your keyboard every night. then in the morning, before you even turn on your device, write notes to business associates, past clients, or potential clients. you could even include a gift card for coffee.
related: why writing a thank you note should be as automatic as brushing your teeth
a formula for writing notes that never fails
Sometimes people are nervous about putting pen to paper because they don’t know what to say. Here’s a proven formula I use to help me create a heartfelt, personalized note every time.
- close your eyes and visualize the person.
- identify their needs. Is he or she going through difficult times or perhaps celebrating a happy occasion?
- think about her personal experience. Did he or she recently get a new pet or does he or she have children graduating from college, perhaps? does she support?
- ask yourself, “how can I make this person’s day?”
- keep it short and sweet. no need to write a novel!
related: how to write an unforgettable thank you note
writing personal notes has contributed more to my accomplishments than anything else i’ve done in my career. I have cultivated lifelong friendships and connections, increased my credibility and profile, and increased my database, all thanks to the power of the personal note. If you want to accelerate the growth of your business, deepen your relationships and expand your influence, try the postal service this year.